Mr Macron’s team has toughened its stance on the rioters (Image: Getty Images)
The demonstrations started in November over planned fuel tax hikes but quickly spiralled into a sometimes violent revolt against the government’s alleged elitism and economic policies. “I don’t like the word repression because it doesn’t reflect reality,” Mr Macron said during a national policy debate in the southwestern town of Gréoux-les-Bains, adding that the use of such a strong word to describe a false truth was “unacceptable”.
The 41-year-old centrist’s outburst came after a young farmer, Alexia Olagnon, told him the ongoing “repression” of yellow vest protesters by police “cannot be ignored”.
Visibly irked by Mrs Olagnon’s remarks, Mr Macron ask her to “name authoritarian or repressive regimes which organise debates like the one we’re having right now,” in reference to the grand national debate he launched in January to quell yellow vest anger.
He said: “For several weeks now, thugs have infiltrated and distorted the [yellow vest] movement. They have threatened and beaten up security forces whose job is to protect you.
“Everywhere that there is violence, I expect police officers to be in a position to protect themselves and protect the public order. For as long as I am president, the right to protest and the rule of law will be respected.”
The protests – named after the fluorescent safety jackets all French motorists are required to carry in their cars – began in mid-November over plans to raise fuel taxes but unexpectedly ballooned into a broader revolt against the government’s pro-rich economic policies that has mobilised scores of demonstrators each Saturday.
More than three months into the unrest, Mr Macron’s team has toughened its stance on the rioters, voting in a new law to sanction undeclared protests and prevent those taking part in the rallies from wearing face-covering balaclavas to escape identity checks.
In addition, the government warned earlier this month that police would not hesitate to use flash grenade riot control guns in case of violence by demonstrators after the weapon was authorised by the country’s highest administrative court.
About 1,000 police officers have been injured along with 1,700 demonstrators (Image: Getty Images)
Interior Minister Christophe Castane (Image: Getty Images)
“It’s true that this intermediate weapon can hurt, but faced with rioters, the police need it to defend themselves against those who attack them,” Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said as he sought to defend the use of the controversial rubber bullets.
About 1,000 police officers have been injured along with 1,700 demonstrators since the start of the protests, according to official figures.
The United Nations on Wednesday called for a “full investigation” into the possible use of force by France’s riot police during the anti-government protests.
“The yellow vests have been protesting what they see as exclusion from economic rights and participation in public affairs,” rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in her annual address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Riot police officers are allowed to use flash grenade riot control guns against demonstrators (Image: Getty Images)
She said: “We encourage the government to continue dialogue – including follow-up to the national discussions which are currently underway – and urge full investigation of all reported cases of excessive use of force.”
France’s IGPN, the so-called “police of police” that investigates internal abuse claims, has launched more than 100 probes into the alleged misconduct of officers during the weekly rallies.
Mrs Bachelet also spoke more generally about citizens across the globe who have “taken to the streets to protest inequalities and deteriorating economic and social conditions.”
Saturday will mark the 17th straight weekend of action against the Macron government (Image: Getty Images)
Rights chief Michelle Bachelet (Image: Getty Images)
“Inequalities affect all countries. Even in prosperous states, people feel excluded from the benefits of development and deprived of economic and social rights – leading to alienation, unrest, and sometimes violence,” she warned.
“Their demands call for respectful dialogue and genuine reform. And yet, in several cases, they are being met with violent and excessive use of force,” the rights chief continued.
Thousands of yellow vests are expected to march through Paris and other French cities on Saturday, which will mark the 17th straight weekend of action against the Macron government.